Lubricating apparatus



LCQROTTER ETAL LUBRICATING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 23, 1938 3 sheets-sheet 1 -FIG 1... RoTTER Er-AL 2,205,335 LUBRICATING APPARATUS f Filed Feb. 23, 1938 3 Sheets- Sheet 2 July 2, 1940. no1-TER :r'AL

2,206,335 LUBRICATING APPARATUS v Filed Feb. 23.1958

3 Shets-Sheet 3 `l0 be noted the' provision 0f means for timing the may be referred to by the short title of injectors. l0

i The invention accordingly comprises the ele- Psienadiuly 2. 1940 I #UNITED STATES PATENT oFElcE LUBRICATIN G APPARATUS Lutwin C. Botter, Maplewood, and Victor G. Klein, St. Louis, Mo., assigner-s to Lincoln Engineering Company, St. Louis, Mo., a corporation o! Missouri Application February 23, 1938, Serial No. 191,908

9 Claims. (Cl. 184-7) This invention relates to lubricating apparatus, spending parts throughout the several views of and with regard to certain more speciiic features the drawings. to automatically controlled lubricating apparatus. Referring now more particularly to Fig. 1, nu- The invention is an improvement upon the apmeral I diagrammatically illustrates bearings to 8Y paratus disclosed in the following United States be lubricated. Numeral 3 indicates lubricant- 5 patents o1' Lutwin C. Rotter: No.-2,141,022, dated measuring devices used respectively in connec- December 20, 1938; and No. 2,162,898, 4dated June tion with the bearings I. The devices 3 receive 20, 1939, lubricant under pressure and deliver it in meas- Among the several objects of the invention may ured Charges to the bearings l. The devices 3 starting of the lubricant measuring and pressure These injectors 3 have been fully described in delivery system; the provision of apparatus of Said Patent No. 2,141,022. this class inwhich, after pressure delivery has Briefly. the funCtiOIl 0f each IIJBCGI 3 1S t0 been initiated and lubricant deliveredinthe measbecome filled' With lubricant to a measured de ee. ured quantities desired, the necessary pressure swath? lubricant being temporarily under presl5 automatically cuts oli` the previously initiated sine in branches 7 f1`0m a Pressure im@ Such as timing action; the provision of apparatus of the 5- Tnen eeen inleetor discharges a quantity- `class described in which the timing is automatic; After the d lsenarge Dressur e tends to build up and the provision of the apparatus of the class meer Continued pumping action 0f the Pumpdescribed in which an improved construction is It lsthe purpose of the present apparatus te Start :20 used for automaticallybleeding pressure from relthis presslrte eilr any nanuein r aunanc atively long lines. Otherobjects will bein part gliene', an thm; Mtg :ume: gli y I alie obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter. The une gmsopetsat tehg m r o ee e pressure n u above applications make this fact clear. electors 3 may become mled upon the next operation of the apparatus. This ee e the injectors cannot do unless the pressure in the ments and combinations of elements, features of une 5 is relieved to a point below that required construction. and arrangements of parts which for injecton. This is by reason of the nature I n be exemplified in the structures hereinafter .of the injectors 3, as` is clear from said Patent 30 described, and the scope oi'` the application of 2 141022 ao which will be indicated in the following claims. Atnn'leral 9 is shown a lubricant pump which 'f In the accompanying drawings in Wnien are draws lubricant from a lubricant supply tanki I ninsireted Several of Various possible embodi to force it through an outlet I3 to the line 5. An ments 0f the invention? air engine l5 automatically operates the pump 9 .35. Fig 1 is a diagrammatic .ieyout 0f the simplest as long as compressed air is delivered to said enee form of the invention showing the use of apneugine |5 over an air une medically driven Pump: The airline l1 leads from an air valve ls. The F18- 2 is a View Similar t0. FIS- 1, Showing an valve I9 receives its air supply trom a supply electrically driven pump substituted for the pneuune 2| n `which is a Strainer 23 The air valve 4- matic Dump; I I9 is shown in Fig. 8 wherein is `shown a stem Fig. 3 isadiasrammatic layout of another form 24 suitably grooved to align with a passage 2 of the invention in which a pneumatically driven through the valve when the groove isin one po Pumpis used; v sition, and to block passage of air therethrough "s I Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3. but illustratin another position. A detent 4 holds the valve ing the US@ 0f an'eleirictllly driven Pump; in open position against the compression of spring @3.7i Fig.5is a diagrammatic layout of another form 25, after the valve has been manually set. A Y oi* the invention in which a pneumatlcally driven right-wise push (Fig. 8) disconnects the detent l pump is used; f and permits spring 25 fully to return the valve Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 showing the toclosed position. Button 21 on the stem 24 is application to this form of the invention of an for manual manipulation and for receiving the .1j

electrically driven pump; closing reaction from spring 25.

Fig. 7 isa detailed section of a relief valve; and, When the valve I9 is in its right-hand posi- Fig. 8 is a detailed section of an air valve. tion, it blocks passage of air through lines 2| and Similar reference characters indicate corre-` I1. When it is pushed to the left (Fig. 8), it per- .5

- I1 so that the air engine I5 becomes operative.

Exemplary working details of the air engine and pump apparatus 9, II, I5 may be found in various patents, such as, for example, Barks Patents 1,633,304, 1,654,673, and 1,704,238.

From the above it will be 'seen that, when the button 21 is pushed to the left, the line 2| is put into communication with the line I1 and that the air engine I5 is started and continues to operate, thus providing pressure in lines I3, 5 and 1 and in the lubricators 3.

It is desirable, after the lubricators 3 have expelled their measured charges, that the pump 9 cease pumping, so that the pressure does not continue to rise in the lines to the lubricator, and it is also desirable that these lines be bled so that the lubricators may later start their operations over again. For this purpose, a branch line 29 is led from the outlet I3 to a relief valve 3|. y

The relief valve 3| is shown in detail in Fig. 7, and has been described in detail in said Patent No. 2,162,898. Briey, it comprises a cylinder 4I in which is a slidable piston 43 having a conical valve portion associated therewith for seating on the edge of a passage 41 which is located beyond inlet passage 33. The passage 33 communicates with the lubricant. pressure line 29. An outlet 38 leads to a by-pass line 31. `The line 31 leads back to the supply in the container Il. The counterbore 22 communicating with outlet 38 to the by-pass line 31 is normally covered by the piston 43, and when the pressure in line 29 reaches a value above that required for operating the injectors 3, the valve portion 45 is lifted from the seat, thus permitting the pressure to spread over the bottomarea of the piston 43 so as to force the-piston further upwardly to relieve pressure to the by-pass 31. After the relief valve Ihas once opened, it remains open until a much lower pressure is reached than was required initially to open it. This is because the unit lpressure on the small area of the valve 45 may be much higher for a given total value than'is required against the relatively large area of the piston 43 for lthe same total value. A spring 49 normally presses the piston 43 toward its seat around the opening 41. A stem 5| extending from the upper end of the relief valve is placed opposite the stem 24 of the manually controlled valve I9. Thus, when the valve I9 is pushed i-n to the left, the stem 25 comes close to the stem 5I, when the stem 5I is in the position shown in Fig. '1.

Under the last-named conditions, the valve I9 is open, pump 9 is energized, vand the injectors 3 are driven to filland inject. TheyY do this at a certain pressure in the line 5, determined by normal operating conditions. Then when the injectors 3 have delivered their charges, they block further reception of lubricant from line 5 and the pump 9 builds up pressure in said line 5 to deliver it by Way of line 29 to the port 41 of the relief valve 3|. This pressure builds up until it finally results in unseating of the closure 45 and movement of the pin 5 I. This relieves pressure to line 31 and causes stem 5| to force stem E15-to the right to return the valve I9 to closed position.

Inasmuch as the relief valve 3| is adapted to remain open until pressure in lines 29, 5, and 1 has leaked away to a value below the value of pressure for opening said valve 3|, the pressure in said lines is relieved to a point where the injectors 3 can re-assume their starting positions.

In Fig. 2 is shown another forni oi the invention in which like numerals designate like parts. In this form the pump 9 is driven by an' electric motor mechanism 53, to which current is supplied over a supply line 55. Connected in series in this line is ari electric switch 51 which is locatedY adjacent the stem 5| of the relief valve 3|, so that when the stem 5| moves in response to excessive pressure in the lines 5, 1, I3, and 29,-the stem 5| strikes the switch 51 to open it. After the pressure bleeds ofi, the stem 5I returns to the position shown, under which circumstances the switch 51 may again be closed for starting operation of the motor 53 and pump'9.

It will be seen that, in the forms of the invenv tion shown in Figs. 1 and 2, starting is manually or switch to starting position be effected autoa matically at timed intervals. Various provisions for such operations are made in Figs. 3 to 6.

Referring to Fig. 3, like numeralsv designate like parts. In this case an air valve I9 is again used but its stem 24 is normally forced to an air blocking position by a spring 59, but maybe pulled into an air-transmitting position by a solenoid 6|. The solenoid is energized from a circuit connected to an electric line 63.

The circuit elements comprise a control .switch having points 61, 69, and 1|. Point 61 receives current from junction 13. The switch 65 may be moved manually to the position joining points 61 and 69, but when released, automatically`A springs back to open position. The switch 65 may also be set manually to join points 61 and' 1|, but it remains in position until manually reopened.

Point 69 forms the starting pointfforv a pilot relayA circuit consisting of said point 69, junction 15, junction 11, relay coil 19, switch 3|, junction 83, and junction 85 on the main line 63. 'I'hus it will be seen that, when the switch 65 is temporarily manually pushed into the lefthand position, said pilot relay circuit is closed.

When this pilot relay circuit is closed, the coil 19 draws shut contactor switch 81 which then receives current over the following part of a control circuit: junction 13, point 89, switch 81, point 9|, junction 93, solenoid coil 6I, and junction 85 on the main linev 63. The coil 6I then draws up the valve stem 25 into position so that air ows over line I1 to the engine I5, which drives the pump 9. The switch 65 may promptly be released, and it returns to open position underA action of spring 95. Current for coil 19 is then supplied by the following circuit: junction 13, point 89, switch 8.1, pigtail 91, coil 19, switch 8|, junction 83, and junction 85.`

The pump 9 then operates to apply pressure through the lines I3, 5 and 1 to the injectors 3 which operate to fill and to inject their respective charges. Wnen they cease injecting, -they block reception of lubricant from the line 5 and pressure then builds up until the pressure in the line 29 causes the relief valve 3| to open to bypass fluid back to the container II. At the same time, the stem 5I of the relief valve 3| pushes against the switch 8| to open it against its return spring 99. This breaks the circuit through the coil 19 and-the switch 81 reopens under return action of spring IIII. This breaks the cirn cuit through the coil for want of pressure relief after injection. To

s junctions |3|, |33,

` constantly and that it s |09. The stems 5| and the spring 53 draws back the stem 24 of valve I3 to closed position, and the pump ceases operation. Bleeding o'f the line 5 is effected through the relief valve 3|.

In cases where a long line 5 is used, the friction in the line may be so great that, although `the valve 3| relieves the pipe which is adjacent the outlet I3, more distant pipe may not have its pressure relieved before the valve 3| recloses. 'I'hus distant injectors may become inoperative take care of such distant pipe, bleeder valves are used, an example of one of which is shown at numeral |03. These valves have stems |05 with grooves |01 normally located to openports |05 are` normally pushed into the open position `by springs Extensions from the stems |05 form armatures which are associated with operating coils .||3. 'I'he operating coils ||3 are supplied with current to close the valves |03 whenever the switch 31 is closed, the circuit then comprising the remainder of the control circuit and being as follows: junction 13, point 83, switch blade 61, point 3|, junction 93, coil ||3, and junctions 83 and 85. Thus, as long as the switch 81 is closed, the bleeder valve is closed so that pressure may be built up in the line 5 by means of the pump 3. Whenever` the switch 81 opens and the air line I1 is cut on, and the pump 9 ceases to operate, then the lines 3 are bled not only at the relief valve 3| but at such points as the valves |03 are located, said valves opening automatically when the aboveoutlined circuit breaks, and remaining open un til the pumping againstarts.

In order that automatic and timed starting of the pump may Ybe accomplished,` the timing mechanisms shown generally at numerals 5 and ||1 are used. 'Timing mechanism ||1 comprises a motor ||9 which through a speed reducer upon which are two relatively adjustable cams |2|. These cams, by their relative adjustments, control followers so that contacts |23 are caused to be opened and closed over a certain period during each revolution ofthe cam shaft.

The circuit through the motor ||3 is as follows, assuming the switch `65 to be set across points 61 and 1|: Junction 13, points 61, 1|, junction.|25, motor IIS, junction |21, and junction 35. Thus, as long as theswith 65 is closed across points `61 and 1|, the motor 3 operates to close the contacts |23 at intervals.

Whenever the contacts |23 are closed, they close the following circuit:` Junction 13, points 61, 1|, junction |23.\contacts |23; junction |3|, junction |33, motor |35 of` timing mechanism H5, and junction |31. Thus, the motor |35 is operated intermittently for a' predetermined period of time per revolution of the cams |2|.

`'Ihe motor |35, through suitable reduction gear, `drive cams |33. These cams |33 control followers of contacts IM. The contacts |3| open and close the following circuit: junctionl.|3, points 61 and 1|, junction |23, contacts |23, |42, contacts Ill, junctions |43, 15, 11, coil 19,'switch 3|, and junctions 33 and 85. Thus the switch 31 closes in response to` closure at contacts III.

It will thus be seen that the` timer ||1 moves permits the contacts |23 to close a predetermined time interval for each cycle of cams 2| and thatwhenever the contacts 23 close the cams |39.

l switch 31.

motor |33 somewhat advances they Thus the cams |33 move intermit-` tently and close the contacts |3| at periods which diner from the periods of opening of contacts |23. By relatively adjusting cams |2| various intervals may be obtained for closure loi 'I'he momentary contacter l5 operates by one of the contacts Ill falling against the other and then by said other point promptly falling away from the first-named one, according to the adjustments of the cams |33.

It will be understood that the cams |2| and |39 are shown diagrammatically, both as to form and adjustment. l

From the above, it will be seen that when the switch 65 is thrown to the automatic position across points 61 and 1|,

the timer ||1 continues its rotation thereby repeatedly closing contacts |23 to cause the motor |35 to run intermittently. 'Ihus the period between closures of the contacts III is extended beyond what it would be, were only the motor |35 used without contacts |23.

Automatic loperation ofthe form oi the invention shown in Fig. 3 is as follows: The switch 63 is across points 31 and 1|. The adjustable time clock ||1 operates continuous! thus intermittently closing the contacts |23. Hence the momentary contactor ||3 runs cyclically and ac-` reopen. It will be understood that once the switch B1 is closed, its holding coil 13 `holds it closed, irrespective of the tact that the contacts |4| or |23 may have reopened, although the switch 31 will reopen upon opening of switch 3|. The device, after operation of switch 8|, is then ready for the next closure operation by the time clock anclJ momentary contactor.

In Fig. 4, like numerals designatelike parts. compared with Fig. 3, and with the other figures herein. 'The operation is similar and will be clear by tracing the circuits above traced. 'I'he chief difference is that the switch 31, instead of energizing a solenoid eration of an air valve, directly `energ'lzes the motor 53.

1t will be seen that the electrical embodiment of Fig. 4 is to the pneumatic embodiment of Fig. 3, as the electric embodiment of Fig. 2 is to the pneumatic embodiment of Fig. l. But in Figs. l and 2, there is manual starting; whereas in Figs. 3 and 4, besides the auxiliary bleeder feature, there is the possibility of either manual starting or automatically timed starting. It should be noted that in all cases Where manual starting is employed,` the `operator may make the necessary manual movement and then leave the machine without attention. This is useful where, for example, special lubrication is desired, as of idle machines at noon hour. A` for starting the machine results in a measured charge being delivered from each injector 3, under pump action and thereafter `the pump is automatically cut oir without attention from the operator.

Referring now to Figs. 5 and 6, these figures show pneumatic and. electric forms, respectively.

so that the such as 6| for relay op-V manual setting.

operates to break the l circuit of switch 3|, thus causing the switch 81 to 83 and 85.

In both of'these forms a simplled timing machine is used employing a simplied form of timing clock which is available on the market. The combination of timing clock ||1 and momentary contact ||5 used in Figs. 3 and 4 provides a wide range and a great number of timing adjustments. The momentary contacter |35 of Fig. 5 is arranged to accomplish one revolution in various periods, for example, in one, two, five, ten, fifteen, thirty7 forty-five, or sixty minutes, whichever is desired. Change gears provide the means for choosing a desired period. Such al momentary contactor is employed also in Fig. 6. In these iigures like numerals designate like parts.

Referring to Fig. 5, the point 1|, instead of being wired to the time-clock motor, is wired directly through the momentary contactor |315 as shown at i5i, |53, and |55. The momentary contactor |35 then is operated when the switch 65 is placed Aacross points 61 and 1|, the operation being at the desired period. Thus every time that the cams |39 make one revolution, the contacts III are momentarily closed to close the following circuit: |51, |42, III., |43, 15, 11, 19, 8|, This closes the switch 81 and its circuit is then as already traced above. The operation is otherwise the same, the `stern 5| on Ithe relief valve 3| being responsible for reopening the switch 8| after the injectors 3 have delivered their measured charges. l

Fig. 6 employs the same type of momentary contactor |35 as is shown in Fig. 5, and like numerals designate like parts. The difference is that the switch 81 controls the circuit for motor 53. instead of the circuit of an air-valve solenoid.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and between the pump and the injector, said pump being adapted to force lubricant from the supply to the injector, the injector being operative to inject at one pressure in theconnection and after injection blocking the connection, whereby the pump when energized increases said pressure, means for energizing the pump, an electrically operated relief valve at a point in the connection remote from the pump, electrically operated means for controlling energization .of said pump, and means responsive to the increased pressure in said connection adapted to cause deenergization of the pump and operation of said relief valve to relief position.

2. Lubricating apparatus comprising an injec-A tor, a lubricant supply, a pump having a connection with the injector adapted to force lubricant from the supply to said injector, a relief valve associated with said connection but remote from said supply, the injector being adapted to inject under one pressure condition in the connection, and to block the connection after injection so that continued operation of the pump increases the pressure, means for energizing the pump, and a second relief valve responsive to the increased pressure in said connection and adapted to deenergize connection, and to block the connection after injection so that continued operation of the pump increases the pressure, means for pneumatically energizing the pump, a normally closed electromagnetic control valve for pneumatic control of the pump, a normally open electromagnetic relief valve associated with said connection, an electric A circuit, means for energizing the electric circuit to cause opening of the pneumatic valve and closing of the relief valve, and means responsive to higher pressure in said connection adapted to break said circuit.

4. Lubricating` apparatus comprising a lubricant line, a lubricant supply, a pump adapted to pump lubricant from the supply to the line, means for energizing the pump, energy control means including an electric coil and biasing closure means, movable pressure-responsive means in the line adapted to move in response to predetermined pressure in the line, at least one relief valve in the line including an electric coil and a biasing opening means, an electric circuit supplying current to said coils, said circuit when open permitting biasing of the energy control means to closed position and biasing of the relief valve to open position and when closed to effect opening of the energy control means and closing l of the relief valve, and a switch associated with said circuit and located adjacent said pressureresponsive means and operable thereby to open position when the pressure-responsive means responds to said predetermined pressure, whereby said coils are de-energized to permit the respective biasing means to become effective.

5. Lubricating apparatus comprising a lubricant line, a lubricant supply, a pump adapted to pump lubricant from the supply to the line, means for energizing the pump including an electrical control, pressure-responsive means in the line, a relief valve in the line having an electrical control, a control circuit for the electrical controls, a relay circuit, a holding relay energized by the relay circuit to permanently connect the control circuit for energization, timing means for temporarily closing the relay circuit to close the relay and connect the control circuit, and means in the relay circuit responsive to said pressure- .responsive means to reopen the relay circuit to cause deenergization of the control circuit.-v

6. Lubricating apparatus comprising a lubricant line, a lubricant supply, a pump adapted to jpump lubricant from the supply to the line,

means for energizing the pump comprising an electric motor, movable pressure-responsive means in the line adapted to move in response to predetermined pressure in the line, at least one relief valve inthe line including an electric coil and a biasing opening means, an electric circuit supplying current to said coil and to said motor, and circuit means adapted `\to effect closure of said circuit whereby the motor is started and the relief valve is closed, and a switch responsive to the pressure-responsive means adapted to open said circuit means to cause deenergization of the motor and reopening of the relief valve.

7. Lubricating apparatus comprising a lubricant line, a lubricant supply, a pump adapted to pump lubricant from the supply to the line, an electric motor for energizing the pump, an energizing cir- 1g 

